Job summary
We welcome applications for a band 8A Principal Clinical Scientist post in the Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Barts Health, East & South East London Pathology Partnership. You will join an experienced team of 2 Consultants and 6 Clinical Scientists. We are advertising a full-time post, but are happy to discuss part-time working. Previous applicants (within 6 months) need not apply.
The department is one of the largest in the UK, with specialist services including LC-MS/MS, HPLC, atomic absorption and proteins. We provide clinical and technical POCT support across the partnership trusts. We serve specialist clinical services across Barts Health, which has the largest cardiovascular centre in the UK, the second largest cancer centre in London, one of the largest children's hospitals in the UK and leading endocrinology, stroke and renal units. We also have strong links with adult and paediatric endocrine, nutrition and ICU teams. These links afford ample opportunity for collaborative research and development and clinical liaison.
The post is based on the Royal London Hospital site, directly opposite Whitechapel station, which is served by the district, hammersmith & city and overground lines. It will also be on the Elizabeth line (Crossrail), which is due to open in the first half of 2022. Whitechapel is a vibrant, multicultural district in the East End. Aldgate, Shoreditch, Brick Lane and East London theatres are all within a 7-15 minute walk.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for a dynamic and ambitious Clinical Scientist to join us in further developing the service. The post holder will be involved in the development and oversight of all areas within the laboratory and will be expected to develop an interest in and take day-to-day responsibility for a specific area. The post holder will liaise with clinical staff and represent the department at meetings, particularly those related to their specialist laboratory area. You will be based at the Royal London hub with occasional travel to the spoke sites as required.
Key responsibilities include:
- participation in the Duty Biochemist rota, providing interpretation of results and advice on investigations to medical staff and other service users
- validation and implementation of new methods and assays, overseeing their introduction into routine clinical use
- undertaking and publishing research
- engaging in quality improvement projects
- supervising STP trainees
You must be state registered with the Health Care Professions Council as a Clinical Scientist (Clinical Biochemistry), hold part 1 of the FRCPath by examination, or equivalent. Consideration will be given to appoint under AfC annex 21 for candidates who are HCPC registered as a Clinical Scientist but who have yet to attain the part 1 FRCPath examination but are actively working towards it. Full support will be given to allow the successful candidate to continue their training.
About us
Working for the Pathology Partnership
The NHS East and South East London Pathology Partnership is an arms-length organisation providing pathology services to Barts Health NHS Trust, Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. The Pathology Partnership is hosted by Barts Health. The Pathology Partnership is based on well-established models for pathology networks, with the Royal London Hospital becoming the main hub laboratory for the network and Essential Service Laboratories (ESL) as a minimum at all other Hospital sites.
Pathology is made up of the following services - Blood Sciences including Haematology, Blood Transfusion and Biochemistry; Infectious Diseases including Microbiology and Virology; Cellular Pathology including Histopathology, non-gynae Cytology and mortuary services; Immunology; Cytogenetics and Molecular Haematology; Immunophenotyping; Clinical Transplantation and Retinoblastoma.
The 2020/21 total operating costs across the Partnership were c. £126m per annum with a workforce establishment of circa. 822 WTE.
We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.
We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are underrepresented within Barts Health at this band
Job description
Job responsibilities
For full details please see the attached job description and person specification.
Main duties, responsibilities and results areas
Key result areas
The post holder will:
- participate in the duty biochemist rota, providing interpretation of results and advice on investigations to medical staff and other service users
- validate and implement new methods and assays and oversee their introduction into routine clinical use
- undertake and publish research
- actively engage in quality improvement projects
Main duties and responsibilities
Clinical
The post holder:
- will be involved in the development and oversight of all areas within the laboratory and will be expected to develop an interest in and take day-to-day responsibility for a specific area or areas, dependent upon knowledge and experience, and to complement interests of colleagues.
- will ensure that written guidance on the appropriate use and interpretation of biochemistry tests within their area of responsibility are available for inclusion in departmental and trust operating procedures in line with clinical governance.
- will participate in the duty biochemist rota and provide interpretation of results and advice on clinical biochemistry tests to medical staff and other service users
- will liaise with clinical staff particularly those related to their specialist laboratory area
Scientific and Technical
The post holder will:
- initiate and participate in research and development projects, both within the department and in association with clinical colleagues. This will include participating in drawing up and supervising research projects for BMS and clinical scientist trainees and other staff.
- maintain and continuously update technical skills.
- work with senior BMS staff to resolve analytical problems.
- participate in developing and evaluating new assays, methods and equipment
- engage in monitoring the quality and efficiency of service delivery, through internal quality control, external quality assessment, local and national audit activities.
- as part of a team, be responsible for ensuring the laboratory maintains UKAS accreditation status.
Specialist related duties and responsibilities;
The post holder will:
- participate in the development and service provision of specialised assay services
- provide profile for the service and seek and attract new service users.
- advise on equipment and be proactive in procuring and implementing appropriate specialist technology.
- advise, as part of the management team, on the departmental financial structure to optimize the quality and financial viability of the service.
- provide an interpretative service to the clinician and other users of the service.
Research and Development
The post holder will be expected to:
- develop research interests and initiate, perform and publish research and development.
- actively engage in method development using innovative technology using own initiative.
- develop, validate and implement new methods and assays in to the laboratory as well as actively participating in research collaborations with hospital and university departments.
- prepare project plans, seek ethical approval and negotiate funding from external as well as internal sources ensuring that expenditure is properly accounted for.
- present data at local, national and international scientific meetings.
Teaching and Training
The post holder will:
- participate in postgraduate education of biomedical scientists, clinical scientists and other healthcare professionals as required.
- be a trainer in clinical biochemistry for Modernising Scientific Careers STP trainees.
Audit
The post holder will:
- become involved in clinical and departmental audits and is expected to
- encourage and foster improvements in the quality and standards of laboratory services.
The job description is not intended to be exhaustive and it is likely that duties may be altered from time to time in the light of changing circumstances and after consultation with the postholder.
The post holder might be required to work across the Pathology Partnership at any time throughout the duration of his/her contract, which may entail travel and working at different hospital.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For full details please see the attached job description and person specification.
Main duties, responsibilities and results areas
Key result areas
The post holder will:
- participate in the duty biochemist rota, providing interpretation of results and advice on investigations to medical staff and other service users
- validate and implement new methods and assays and oversee their introduction into routine clinical use
- undertake and publish research
- actively engage in quality improvement projects
Main duties and responsibilities
Clinical
The post holder:
- will be involved in the development and oversight of all areas within the laboratory and will be expected to develop an interest in and take day-to-day responsibility for a specific area or areas, dependent upon knowledge and experience, and to complement interests of colleagues.
- will ensure that written guidance on the appropriate use and interpretation of biochemistry tests within their area of responsibility are available for inclusion in departmental and trust operating procedures in line with clinical governance.
- will participate in the duty biochemist rota and provide interpretation of results and advice on clinical biochemistry tests to medical staff and other service users
- will liaise with clinical staff particularly those related to their specialist laboratory area
Scientific and Technical
The post holder will:
- initiate and participate in research and development projects, both within the department and in association with clinical colleagues. This will include participating in drawing up and supervising research projects for BMS and clinical scientist trainees and other staff.
- maintain and continuously update technical skills.
- work with senior BMS staff to resolve analytical problems.
- participate in developing and evaluating new assays, methods and equipment
- engage in monitoring the quality and efficiency of service delivery, through internal quality control, external quality assessment, local and national audit activities.
- as part of a team, be responsible for ensuring the laboratory maintains UKAS accreditation status.
Specialist related duties and responsibilities;
The post holder will:
- participate in the development and service provision of specialised assay services
- provide profile for the service and seek and attract new service users.
- advise on equipment and be proactive in procuring and implementing appropriate specialist technology.
- advise, as part of the management team, on the departmental financial structure to optimize the quality and financial viability of the service.
- provide an interpretative service to the clinician and other users of the service.
Research and Development
The post holder will be expected to:
- develop research interests and initiate, perform and publish research and development.
- actively engage in method development using innovative technology using own initiative.
- develop, validate and implement new methods and assays in to the laboratory as well as actively participating in research collaborations with hospital and university departments.
- prepare project plans, seek ethical approval and negotiate funding from external as well as internal sources ensuring that expenditure is properly accounted for.
- present data at local, national and international scientific meetings.
Teaching and Training
The post holder will:
- participate in postgraduate education of biomedical scientists, clinical scientists and other healthcare professionals as required.
- be a trainer in clinical biochemistry for Modernising Scientific Careers STP trainees.
Audit
The post holder will:
- become involved in clinical and departmental audits and is expected to
- encourage and foster improvements in the quality and standards of laboratory services.
The job description is not intended to be exhaustive and it is likely that duties may be altered from time to time in the light of changing circumstances and after consultation with the postholder.
The post holder might be required to work across the Pathology Partnership at any time throughout the duration of his/her contract, which may entail travel and working at different hospital.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Dealing with and resolving analytical problems in clinical biochemistry
- Experience of one or more of the following areas: LC-MS/MS, HPLC, proteins, point-of-care testing, trace elements.
- Training laboratory staff, including trainee clinical scientists and biomedical scientists
- Experience of implementing and managing change
- Aware of scientific developments and modern technology in clinical biochemistry and their impact on the future of the service
- Understands the principles of clinical governance and their application in clinical biochemistry
Skills
Essential
- Ability to manage the quality of the service provided by the department and devise plans for the future of the service on the basis of knowledge of recent developments in the field
- Ability to supervise R&D activities, including supervision of junior staff, writing reports, abstracts for scientific meetings and papers for peer-reviewed publications.
- Ability to lead day-to-day on service development and delivery and clinical and laboratory audits
- Ability to liaise effectively with clinical staff and other service users, particularly in advising on specialized analyses and their interpretation.
Knowledge
Desirable
- Evidence of management and leadership training
Qualifications
Essential
- State registration with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Clinical Scientist (Clinical Biochemistry)
- Part 1 Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath) by examination, or equivalent. Consideration will be given to appoint under AfC annex 21 for candidates who are HCPC registered as a Clinical Scientist but who have yet to attain the FRCPath part 1 examination but are actively working towards it.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Dealing with and resolving analytical problems in clinical biochemistry
- Experience of one or more of the following areas: LC-MS/MS, HPLC, proteins, point-of-care testing, trace elements.
- Training laboratory staff, including trainee clinical scientists and biomedical scientists
- Experience of implementing and managing change
- Aware of scientific developments and modern technology in clinical biochemistry and their impact on the future of the service
- Understands the principles of clinical governance and their application in clinical biochemistry
Skills
Essential
- Ability to manage the quality of the service provided by the department and devise plans for the future of the service on the basis of knowledge of recent developments in the field
- Ability to supervise R&D activities, including supervision of junior staff, writing reports, abstracts for scientific meetings and papers for peer-reviewed publications.
- Ability to lead day-to-day on service development and delivery and clinical and laboratory audits
- Ability to liaise effectively with clinical staff and other service users, particularly in advising on specialized analyses and their interpretation.
Knowledge
Desirable
- Evidence of management and leadership training
Qualifications
Essential
- State registration with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Clinical Scientist (Clinical Biochemistry)
- Part 1 Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath) by examination, or equivalent. Consideration will be given to appoint under AfC annex 21 for candidates who are HCPC registered as a Clinical Scientist but who have yet to attain the FRCPath part 1 examination but are actively working towards it.
Additional information
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
